Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 138: Facing The Court Of Public Opinion

Chapter 138: Facing The Court Of Public Opinion

Lying on the stone slab, Ivan’s knees hovered one another, his feet swinging in tune to the whistling rhythm that left his lips. With one hand resting behind his head, the other held a book that he was still reading due to the immense boredom in the cell, his slow whistling echoing within the cell’s premises like he had no bother in the world.

It all started with boredom, but now he was so engrossed in the novel that he failed to catch Lord Viktor’s presence in his cell. He stopped whistling and let out a soft tsk, as if he had read something disappointing in the novel, and Viktor watched the young vampire sigh and hum to himself for a certain amount of time before deciding to break the silence.

"You glare like you want to jump into the book and commit homicide." Was Viktor’s assertive remark to Ivan, and that was enough to snap the vampire Lord back to reality. Shifting his gaze to Viktor and acknowledging his presence, Ivan nodded his head in agreement before closing the book and letting it lie on his chest, his crimson eyes now glued to the dull ceiling as he let out a tired sigh.

"Yes, the male character is surprisingly as dumb as me, It was a mental assassination." Ivan said in a whim before discarding his annoyance aside and focusing his attention on the matter at hand. "Your presence here could only mean you got my message. I wanted to see you, alone, and I hope the others aren’t aware that you’re here, cause if they are... I no longer need your assistance."

"What is this about?"

"It’s about the unfair treatment and sudden increase in favoritism." Ivan sat up, the chains making clank sound at his movement. "I wouldn’t send for you, but funny enough I still have a flicker of faith in you." He paused, briefly contemplating on if he was making the right choice before meeting Viktor’s unfazed, but inquiring gaze, and he said, "denial is not a problem, hating the other kind is not a problem, I mean everyone is entitled to their rights to hate or like, I’m not going to force you to like the woman I have chosen, be it she’s a human or not, but... you know more than anyone else that her Father is innocent here, I started it all and I accept my mistake, but you also know better than to let Eamon sit on that Throne when he’s not worthy of it."

"And why do you think I know so?"

"The Lord Viktor I always heard of, the man who protects the right and expose the wrong. I admit that I’m not clean in any of this, I’ve done terrible things too but if I’m to be punished, Eamon needs to be punished along with me. I have a grudge with him but it had nothing to do with the throne, he–" Stopping in his sentence to reclaim his senses back, Ivan mustered it up to say. "That vermin ruined my life in secret, he tortured me physically and mentally, he made the invitation to hell seem more bearable than having to spend another day with him. HE turned me into this demon that I’m being punished for... I went into that coma cause he took a dagger, opened my chest and shoved a piece of shard into my heart! I would have died, but I didn’t, instead I became part Demon. Strange that I only realized what I was becoming from your mouths."

Viktor, whose expression had remained stolid, could sense his gaze waver at the revelation, whilst the look in his eyes turned hesitant. While he pondered to himself, he suddenly heard Ivan chuckle softly, it sounded empty as he used his hand to push his hair away from his face, and he said. "I have been neglected as a child, and it got worse growing up. I was isolated in my own home, interactions were useless, I didn’t form that special bond with anyone except Grandmother, that’s why she kept me away from Eamon by sending them to Vesunard."

Ivan leaned back against the stone slab as he was forced to revisit his past, "do you know why I’m telling you this? You know everything happening here is wrong! I’m telling you this because I need you to rectify it during the court of public opinion."

"What I think will not matter as long as the decree is proven authentic." Viktor intoned firmly, stabling his resolve, and he noticed the corner of Ivan’s lips twitch.

"There will be proof in the court of public opinion," came his assurance. "What I need you to do is stand on the side that’s good...without the favoritism! Lord Draven is brainwashing all of you, and you’re the only one I believe can snap out of his trance. This was a risk I was willing to take, what happens next is up to you."

Viktor met Ivan’s crimson gaze, and he could see the fiery spirit that the young vampire Lord possessed. Almost.... Like his Father.

—-

{Music recommendation; Luminary by Joel Sunny}

The day of the verdict eventually came, and the opulent Throne room was bathed in flickering candlelight, adorned with intricate gothic architecture. The four Lords who stepped into the room, willfully went to stand before the majestic throne, waiting for the court of public opinion to assemble.

At the grand entrance, the crowds that had been invited to the Palace, began their murmurs of anticipation as they made way for Prince Eamon. He confidently stepped into the throne room with his guards escorting him to the center of the room. The crowd immediately lowered their heads in a bow as he walked by, further increasing his pride whilst he schooled his expression, not making his satisfactory known to the people.

While everyone waited for Ivan to show up, as if timed, the room fell into a hushed silence when a tall, pale figure with piercing amethyst eyes and blood-red lips emerged from the entrance, his presence undeniable. His presence wasn’t what had thrown them off guard entirely, but what sent shivers down their spine were his hands which were mercilessly shackled by thick chains, and two royal guards trailed behind him.

Ivan’s steps were measured, his gaze fixed straight ahead with determination evident in his eyes. His movement was rather fluid, as if the chains were not a hindrance, but instead an accessory to his royal attire.

"Is that Prince Ivan?!!" The crowds began their murmurs of shock and awe.

"He looks too good to hold such awful reputations, no?"

"This is my first time setting eyes on the youngest Prince!"

"Why is he in shackles?"

"A prisoner in his own Kingdom?"

The tension in the room was palpable, and Eamon’s glaring eyes moved to Ivan who was made to stand beside him. Not only did he steal everyone’s attention, but now he was being secretly admired. Eamon nearly yelled for the crowds to keep shut when they began to annoy him by talking about Ivan instead, but then the silence he wanted descended upon the hall as the door closed.

A seasoned general and the Kingdoms advisor who stood at the left side of the room, glanced at Damien as they gestured for him to proceed since they should not waste any more time with this.

Getting the hint, Damien eventually stepped forward. No doubt the crowd were frightened to be in the presence of the four Lords, and the sight of Ivan in shackles must have been startling, but Damien simply proceeded with the reason why they were all gathered here today, his voice loud and filled with conviction.

"The Noble subjects of EmptyHollow, as much as I admire your courage for coming over at our invitation, we gather to ascertain the authenticity of the decree, the document that claims Prince Eamon," he gestured towards Eamon, "here present, should assume the throne in his late father’s place, and as your next ruler."

Hearing this, the crowds exchanged bewildered glances, but even when their eyes held questions, they said nothing in retort. Since the crowds had no intention of raising an objection, Lucius strictly added. "The future of this kingdom hangs in the balance. As the Four Lords, it is our duty to uncover the truth, to ensure a rightful heir claims the throne."

Ivan’s gaze drifted to Viktor who remained quiet amidst the rest of the three Lords that spoke. His jet-black hair fell across his face, concealing most of his features, save for his piercing crimson eyes that observed what was happening, or what was about to happen. When Lucius was done saying his part, Draven stepped forth, his eyes clashing with Ivan’s for a brief moment before turning to the gathered crowds.

"Both brothers possess intriguing claims. Let’s settle this dispute once and for all. We will examine the handwriting, the seal, and any accompanying evidence."

As the crowds lean in, holding their breath, one could sense tension that crackled anticipatedly in the air. Draven turned around to retrieve the parchment from an ornate chest, and when he examined it closely, his eyes squinted in concentration.

"This decree bears undeniable similarities to your father’s handwriting, Eamon." A sly smile curved his lips. "But it will take more than merely penmanship to convince us.

Eamon gazed directly into Draven’s eyes, determination etched on his face.

"As the true heir designated by my father, I am ready to submit to any test, undergo any scrutiny, to prove my claim." He said pointedly.

Hearing this, the room erupted with murmurs, doubt lingering in the air as murmurings ensued. Ivan’s gaze shifted to the door, silently wondering when Alistair and Tobias would return with the evidence.